poitier

Poor today and some deficiencies in his game have been exposed recently, but he has done well enough overall.

It was a typical Hourihane performance, but who would have expected anything else? It was madness to play him in that game. He is a very limited player, good for free kicks and goals and nothing else. I'm angry with Smith for starting him rather than Hourihane for turning in a typical performance.

Yeah, I thought he made a decent fist of it with no support.

First ten minutes or so he was tidy with the ball when everyone else was passing it straight to city. Went downhill, but the blame is on Smith for starting him.

Omnishambles.

Can someone add 'he's only 21, you know' to the thread title, because it seems to be getting posted 4 or 5 times on every page. 

Completely ineffective show pony, he was as weak as piss tonight. He had looked like he was getting a bit more up to the pace of English football over the last few games, but tonight was a total relapse.

16 hours ago, dont_do_it_doug. said:

Am I missing a joke?

No, I just didn't like the arrogant talent-less little prick.

Even a drunk who can't get into Burnley's midfield can't be significantly less effective than some of our current midfield options. I'm hopeful that he will make a useful contribution, but not expecting too much.

2 hours ago, gilbertoAVFC said:

Think he is a bit Weimann-ey.

If he really is like Andi Shitehawk Weimann he can f### off now.

That picture of Wesley's knee looks awful, but he didn't seem to be in as much pain as you would expect from that. It certainly didn't seem to be as bad a tackle as Targett's against Leicester.

While it isn't Wes's fault in any way, he did go into it very half-heartedly, they say that you get hurt worse when not fully committed to the tackle.

Today was one of his better performances, let's hope it isn't as bad as it looks.

He wasn't great, but he is the only player we have who does what he does, and we need that.

Another game played for Kodjia FC rather than for Villa. Didn't seem to understand the need to keep the ball.

That goal was a thing of beauty, the team play and the finish.

Strangely confident.

8 hours ago, Nabby said:

Coaching /Tactics or players ..can add as many players as we want but I think its a deeper issue than individuals 

 

 

I noticed in the Watford game we had Luiz marking Deeney. That is either bad management or a sign of how few players we have with any aerial ability.

I thought Drinkwater's main contribution at Leicester was playing early through balls for Vardy. Can't see Wes trundling after those sort of passes.

Although Giroud would be a massive step up in quality I doubt he can last more than 60-70 minutes, which would still leave us relying on our not good enough strikers to fill in. 

2 hours ago, Dr_Pangloss said:

Surrounded by utter shit heads, hard to blame him too much, he's living in an absolute nightmare.

His attitude today didn't do him any credit. Yes, I can understand that he is frustrated, but that attitude from your captain helps nobody but the opposition.

This is just an embarrassment.

I fear a battering.

4 hours ago, mikeyp102 said:

First time that he has really shown grit and determination.

Yep, definitely. 

Although his actual play wasn't always that good, he at least competed and was involved continually, far too many games have just passed him by. A step in the right direction, for sure.

It is questionable starting him for every match, but downright weird that he stays on for the full 90 even when he is clearly out of energy.  I like Smith, of course, but what the hell is going on there?

Read this Fred - I think you are ace.

1 hour ago, sir_gary_cahill said:

Shane Long is such a good centre forward in my opinion. He works so hard for the team, doesn’t give the opposition centre backs a minute’s rest. Ok, he doesn’t score many goals but the work he does for the team allows other teammates to flourish 

I agree he is a good player, but Engels is 6'4, he shouldn't be getting bullied in the air by Long.